Here is chapter 2, I hope you like it!

Chapter Two: Meeting

Kara's phone vibrated in her pocket as she exited the briefing room.

Meeting at 10:30 at L-Corp. Don't be late.

She and the DEO agents had been discussing the events of the previous day, the raid of the warehouse by the docks. Alex hadn't said much during the meeting. Failure wasn't part of her vocabulary, especially when the mission hit so close to home. She wasn't about to give up.

Kara wanted to talk to her sister, but she knew Alex needed time. So when she saw the DEO agent heading to the training room, she followed. Alex made no move to let her know she was aware of her presence until they were both on the training mat. Then she simply said, "Don't hold back," before activating the panel on the wall. The room filled with the green light of kryptonite.

Kara crouched in preparation to attack, and Alex mirrored the move. Then the sparring began. It was rough, messy, and left bruises on both women's skin. Alex's hit her hard, as if purposefully trying to mark her skin. Kara didn't hold back at first, but then just let her sister hit her, seeing the tears in Alex's eyes.

When Alex finally wore herself out, the tears were flowing freely. Her hands were trembling, bruised and scraped. Dropping to her knees, she let out a soft sob. "I'm so sorry, Kara."

They both knew the bruises on Kara's skin would heal and disappear as soon as sunlight touched her, but the knowledge seemed to do little to ease Alex's guilt.

Kara knelt down beside her, and wrapped her arms around her sister in a tight hug. "Shhh…" she comforted Alex. "It's okay. You needed that, and I don't mind. Though I am the one who needs to apologize."

"No, you don't," Alex protested. "Why would you think that?"

"I haven't kept my promise. I told you I'd find Jeremiah, and I haven't yet. I'm not sure I can…"

"I don't know if we'll find him or not," Alex admitted. "But I know that whether we do or not, I can't do this without you, Kara." She sniffed. "You are my strength, and I need you. Please, please don't give up. Don't leave me alone in this."

"I won't ever leave you, Alex," Kara promised. "I already took too much from you. Not anymore, though. You will always have me."

Alex nodded, hugging her sister closer. "I love you," she whispered into Kara's neck.

Kara kissed her hair. "I love you, too."

Hearing a heartbeat behind them, she turned to see Maggie standing in the doorway. The pain at seeing Alex so distraught was obvious in her eyes.

Kara jerked her head slightly, telling Maggie to come closer. Maggie did, and joined them on the floor.

Seeming to sense another presence, Alex opened her eyes and spotted the detective. Sighing, she left Kara's embrace, and moved to welcome Maggie's warm hug. Maggie held her tight, as if holding the most precious thing on Earth, and soothed her with quiet words. "It's okay, babe. I've got you."

Knowing her sister would be well cared for, Kara quietly stood and left the room. It was nearly time for the interview.

Cat was waiting in front of L-Corp when Kara arrived. In a matter of moments, Cat sensed the distress radiating from the younger woman; she was obviously already having a bad day, and it wasn't even noon.

Neither of them spoke as they entered the building and took the elevator up to their destination, but Cat could feel Kara tensing a bit more with each level they passed. Arriving at Jess's desk, Cat asked her to tell her CEO they were there.

A moment later, Lena's voice sounded over the intercom, saying she'd be out in a minute. Cat didn't miss the way Kara flinched at the sound of her voice. She saw the way Jess stared at Kara, as if the young blonde had done something wrong, and the way Kara's gaze dropped to her feet in response. Concerned for her employee, Cat was about to ask if she was alright; but the arrival of Lena interrupted her before she could. So, instead, she led the way into the office.

Kara followed, though she kept her eyes down. Cat could see how hard she tried to avoid eye contact with the L-Corp CEO, only to fail and meet her gaze. Lena looked back at her, her gaze void of emotion. No sadness. No disappointment or anger. Just nothing, as if Lena was doing everything in her power to seem unaffected by the storm that had been unleashed on them.

"Thank you for taking the time to see us, Lena," Cat greeted the Luthor. "How are you, dear?"

Kara looked surprised at the kind tone she was using, but Lena's expression didn't change.

"I'm fine. Thank you, Cat." Then seeming to relax a bit, the younger CEO smiled. "So you're really back?"

"Yes, I am," Cat replied. "I needed time to think, to realize what's important. And I thought it was time to come back and take another shot at life." As she spoke, her gaze moved from Lena and Kara. Kara blushed a bit, and Lena's frown disappeared as she followed Cat's gaze.

"Well, good." Lena cleared her throat. "Now, I believe you're here to ask me something? And since you brought Kara with you, I assume it's work-related."

Kara flinched at the way Lena said her name, almost like it left a bad taste in her mouth. Though she kept her gaze fixed on her feet, Cat could see the tears gathering in her eyes, and the way she swallowed them away. Pushing away the urge to comfort the young blonde, she turned back to Lena.

"Yes," she confirmed. "I'd like to an interview with you and Supergirl. You two make white the team, and I would love to show the world this working relationship."

Lena blinked. "And what does Supegirl say about that?"

"We haven't told her yet," Cat admitted. "I know her, and she would never want to be on a cover by herself. She doesn't really like being in the spotlight."

"So you came to ask for my help. If it's for me, you think she'll do it." Lena frowned. "Well, I'm sorry, but we aren't on the best of terms at the moment. And I doubt she'd agree to pose with a Luthor at this point."

Cat shook her head. "I'll talk to Supergirl myself. If you agree, that is."

"I'd almost forgotten how good of friends you two are," Lena said bitterly, letting the mask slip for a moment.

Out of the corner of her eye, Cat saw Kara's frown deepen. And then the three of them were distracted as the young reporter's phone vibrated in her pocket.

Kara checked her phone, and Cat saw the concern on her face as she mouthed "Alex".

Reaching out to rest a hand on Kara's forearm, Cat told her, "Go. I can finish here. We'll meet later."

Kara gave her a nod, looking almost panicked, and then stood to leave. "Thank you, Miss Grant," she said, and then added quietly, "Have a nice day, Lena."

The two CEOs watched as Kara hurried from the office. Seeming to forget Cat was still there, Lena said softly, "You too, Kara."

After a moment of silence, Cat turned back to Lena. "Now, tell me how you really are."

"Really, Cat. I'm fine…" Lena's eyes widened as Cat gave her a pointed look. They both knew she was not fine. Standing, she went to stand by the window, seeming to search for words. "I don't know," she began. "I mean, I have no idea what I'm supposed to feel. I knew I wasn't loved, and I knew I was a disappointment to them. I knew they were as crazy as Lex. But still, knowing I sent her to jail… That I chose "them" instead of my supposed family… It's hard. So I manage, take it one day at a time. Sometimes I'm sad, sometimes I'm angry. But mostly, I just try to block it all out."

Cat joined her by the window. "I can't say I know how that feels," she sighed. "I know the pain of dealing with a non-loving mother, and the feeling of being a disappointment to her. I can't imagine how the rest must feel, though. But I'm here for you." They were quiet for a moment. "What about Kara?"

"What about her?"

"Oh, come on Lena." Cat fixed her with an exasperated glance. "Did you not see that poor girl in your office? She clearly cares about you, and wants to help; she just doesn't know how to make you feel better. It is so obvious she's in pain, seeing you hurting like you are."

"It's complicated," Lena replied defensively.

"Everything in life is complicated," Cat pointed out. "Kara is the most caring, joyful, trusting person I have ever met. Hell, joy should be her middle name. She would do anything – and I mean anything – for the people she cares about. She has for me…" She took a breath. "But I'll tell you something. The woman I saw today was broken, ready to give up. She's hurting so badly, and your repeated rejections are making her pain worse. So maybe I don't know how you feel, or how painful it is. But I can assure you of one thing: having Kara Danvers by your side through it all is the best gift you can have."

Lena wiped wetness from her eyes, and then turned to face the older woman. She knew Cat was right. Nodding, she said quietly, "I'll make it right."

Cat moved to hug her. Lena nearly fell into her embrace.

"Thank you, Cat."

Cat smiled. "You know you can always call if you need someone to talk to."

So how was it ? Chapter 3 will be up tomorrow, have a nice morning/afternoon/day/night you guys!